AbstractsChemistry

The efficiency of canister charcoals in protecting against phosgene has been investigated over a wide range of phosgene concentrations and under varying moisture conditions of the air stream and the charcoal. The gases present in the effluent air stream when phosgene is passed through a charcoal bed have been determined over a wide range of phosgene concentrations and relative humidity. The magnitude of the time lag between the appearance of HCl and phosgene in the effluent air stream has been determined at varying phosgene concentrations and under varying moisture conditions, and the significance of this time lag for mixtures of phosgene and various hydrocarbons has been studied and a theory for the mechanism of the sorption of phosgene by charcoal postulated. Thionyl fluoride has been prepared and its toxicity and practicability as a war gas discussed. A method for the production of nitric acid suitable for the manufacture of R.D.X. by the Bachmann process is described, the cost discussed, and a method for the recovery of the acid salt by-product outlined. An apparatus to investigate the performance of charcoal against phosgene at low temperatures is described.